The trees are city property. You can’t just cut city trees because you feel like it. The city has already fined them and the penalties will only increase if the trees don’t recover.

If you know something the Forestry Service doesn’t you should get in touch with them. They outline pretty clearly that what is pictured is bad for the trees, and it’s a bad time of year to do it because it makes the trees more susceptible to disease. This isn’t an opinion, it’s in the government handbook.

Go have whatever argument you’re dying to have with someone else.